It’s winter now. Someone likes it so much. But there are people who can not stand cold and frosty weather. Besides holidays are coming. And we like to spend festive time somewhere outside our homes! For those who do not want to go to sunny beaches there is an option.
We can offer you 5 interesting destinations around the world where you can visit different festivals, holiday events, Christmas markets and fairs.
It is not a surprise that there are a lot of such events that are organized around the Globe to attract and amuse a lot of tourists.
1. Jerusalem, Israel
Air temperature: 12–18 ° C.
Visa: not required for 90 days.
Cost of living: from 12$ per night.
Jerusalem is perhaps one of the most festive December places in the world. This month, the entire city is lit up with lights. The locals celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas, and every weekend a great Hamshushalai Art Festival takes place. It is accompanied by concerts, film screenings, as well as discounts in local hotels and restaurants. The pleasant bonus is relatively warm weather, which does not make you cold as you will spend much time outdoors.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Air temperature: 0–8 ° C.
Visa: Schengen.
Cost of living: from 6$ per night.
In December, all of Europe is also preparing for Christmas and is turned into a big Christmas fair. Germany is especially well known in this sense. But if you want not only to feel the pre-New Year atmosphere, but also save a little, go to Budapest.
A wonderful Christmas market on Vöröschmarty Square has been working in the Hungarian capital for a whole month. There you will be able to buy a pair of cute little things cheaper than at other European fairs. You can drink mulled wine and enjoy street performances here too.
3. Geneva, Switzerland
Air temperature: 2–8 ° C.
Visa: Schengen.
Cost of living: from 32$ per night.
From 7th to 9th December, this large city of Switzerland hosts one of the oldest local celebrations, Fête de l’Escalade. The tradition of celebration originated in 1602, after the victory of the inhabitants of Geneva over the troops of the Duke of Savoy.
During the festival staged battles, parades, torchlight processions and fairs are held. The traditional treats of the festival are hot vegetable soup, mulled wine and, of course, the famous Swiss chocolate.
4. Sochi, Russia
Air temperature: 6–12 ° C.
Water temperature: 11 ° C
Cost of living: from 2$ per night.
There are three reasons to go to the main resort city of Russia in December. The first is the opening of the ski season. The second is the Extreme Cinema Festival Snowvision 2018 on Rosa Khutor, which will be held from 20th to 23rd of December. The program includes three days of film screenings, music, photo exhibition and competition. The third reason to visit Sochi is another local film festival, which will last from 11th to 16th of December. In general, you will not get bored here for sure!
5. Chichibu, Japan
Air temperature: 8–15 ° C.
Visa: Japanese.
Cost of living: from 26$ per night.
Annually, on the 2nd and 3rd of December, the Chichibu Yomatsuri night festival takes place in the Japanese city of Chichibu. The holiday is accompanied by music, various treats and a parade with a lot of platforms decorated with lights. The holiday ends with a grand fireworks display that lasts more than for one hour. By the way, the parade of platforms, which takes place during Chichibu Yomatsuri, is one of the three largest in the whole Japan.
Hope now you definitely know where to go and how to spend your Christmas time with a lot of fun and joy!
Also read the following article:
Where to go in December: 10 places where you will forget about cold and boredom (Part 1)